Following Hard After God

Exodus 33:12-23

Moses and the Glory of the Lord

12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 

If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 

How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 

But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 

Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
 

Prayer:

 O God, I have tasted your goodness and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more.  I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire.  O God, the Triune God, I want to want you; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still.  Show me Your glory so that I may know You indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me.  Give me grace to rise and follow You up from this lowland where I have wandered so long.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.